$11M project proposed to improve North Dakota interstate

Updated 3:35 pm, Monday, February 12, 2018

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — An $11 million project is planned to improve Interstate 94 in the Bismarck area for next year.

The project comes just two years after an $11.4 million upgrade. The proposed enhancements include concrete pavement repair, asphalt overlay, slurry seals, bridge deck overlays, bridge deck replacements and the installation of a permanent traffic signal system at an interchange.

Chad Frisinger is a design division transportation engineer with the North Dakota Department of Transportation. Frisinger told the Bismarck Tribune that construction is tentatively scheduled for 2019, but could be pushed back depending on funding.

"It's routine maintenance," said Frisinger, adding that the last time these sections were paved was in 2006 and 2010.

The state's Department of Transportation said the project's purpose is to extend the life of the existing pavement in the area.

Frisinger said the traveling public can expect some delays during construction. He said the bridge deck replacement on the East Midway Interchange will be the most challenging and time-consuming.

"The bridge repairs will cause the project to last all summer," Frisinger said. "The overlay should be quicker, and take only about a month to complete."

The project's local cost share is 10 percent or about $79,000 for Bismarck and $35,000 for Mandan.